The Shepheardes Calender

The Shepheardes Calender, Volume 1, offers a profound reappraisal of the poem that transformed English poetry. This scholarly work of literary criticism examines how Edmund Spenser utilized his writing to establish a new aesthetic for a changing era. Lynn Staley Johnson situates the text within its complex social, political, and cultural contexts, highlighting the emergence of English national myths during the reign of Elizabeth I.

This volume explores the relationship between Spenser and his community, presenting the poet as an active force capable of reshaping reality through verse. By linking Spenser's themes to medieval predecessors like Chaucer, the study bridges the gap between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This essential text in English and European poetry provides deep insight into the radical innovation found within The Shepheardes Calender, Volume 1.